This Star Won't Go Out

I challenge anyone to read this story and get to the end without shedding a tear. The forward by Jon Green, author of "The Fault in Our Stars" introduces us to Esther Earl and how the author met her. She later become the inspiration for the character Hazel in the "Fault in Our Stars". However, while Esther and the fictional character Hazel, share the fact that both have thyroid cancer, Esther's story is all her own. Reading this book, gives us a rare glimpse into her diary entries, her stories and art and also the letters and stories people share about Esther. Her parents share their own thoughts and parts of the blog that they contributed to during their daughter's illness. It is the online community though, that Esther is a part of and the friendships made there, that are really eye opening. We often think of online associations as fragile and not 'real' but the connections that Esther made and the online communities she helped nurture are as real as any you will ever experience. I felt privileged to have read this book and to know her story.